Gasperini: ‘Roma in the mix for Scudetto race, great performance in Manchester’

Gasperini: ‘Roma in the mix for Scudetto race, great performance in Manchester’ Gian Piero Gasperini admits Roma ‘are in the mix’ for the Scudetto race after thumping Sassuolo 3-0 , and ‘even when we lost, we still scored lots of goals’ against Manchester United and Real Madrid. The Giallorossi needed something to boost their confidence after fumbling a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at Manchester United in the Champions League midweek. This was certainly convincing, as they never looked in danger when sweeping Sassuolo aside 3-0 thanks to Mario Hermoso, a deflected Donyell Malen effort and Rodrigo Mora’s angled drive through the legs of Duje Caleta-Car. However, considering they had 28 shots against a side that has now lost five on the bounce, the 3-0 result seems limited. Gasperini raises bar for Roma ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 07: Gian PieroGasperini , Manager of AS Roma, and Alberto Aquilani, Manager of U.S. Sassuolo Calcio pose for a photo before the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on November 07, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) “There were some very strong performances this evening, including a great Hermoso goal to break the deadlock, and it was not easy against a side that clammed up, but we played with quality,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia. The last time they lost in the Champions League to Real Madrid when leading 3-1, it was also followed up immediately by a Serie A victory. “There are defeats and defeats, though. It was an incredible run of games, we lost only to Real Madrid and Manchester United, but also had a run of victories, drew with Como and Napoli. Those two defeats hurt because they were late and we were leading, but they did come at the end of strong performances and against top level opponents.” All three goals this evening were from battering through the Sassuolo defence, even when Alberto Aquilani changed tactics to smother them. ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 07: Rodrigo Mora of AS Roma passes the ball during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on November 07, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) “Undoubtedly, this season we improved a lot in attack, so now we score lots of goals in different ways and with different players,” noted Gasperini. “We are sharper too as well as having confidence, because Hermoso scored like a striker. I also saw an extraordinary Matias Soulé performance. Even when we lost, we scored lots of goals. “In fact, I don’t believe this is a response to a defeat, it’s just more confirmation from this team of the track they are on. Let us not forget Balerdi had a great performance in Manchester until that unlucky moment, and that United only started the comeback thanks to an absurd penalty.” ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 27: Gian Piero Gasperini, Manager of AS Roma, looks on before the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on October 27, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Gasperini has always denied they are even in the conversation for the Scudetto, so he was asked if he’d take second place right now. “I don’t know, it’s fun to play this season. We must not delude ourselves or disappoint ourselves, so there’s no harm in dreaming, especially with the journey that we are on. I don’t know what we could be capable of achieving,” he replied. “As everyone says, quite rightly, Inter are the best placed to win. For the rest, all of us are in the mix, including us, and can have our chances. Lazio won nine of their last 10 games, so of course they are up there. “If Inter slip up a bit, then everyone can dream and try to challenge.” This result puts Roma in a strong position, because Inter and Como face each other on Sunday, while Lazio have a difficult trip to Napoli, so it should see them at least go into third place. “We’re not interested in those games, we’re just sitting perched on the fence peering at them,” joked Gasperini.